prodigy

noun

prod·​i·​gy ˈprä-də-jē 

plural prodigies

1

a

: a highly talented child or youth

b

: an extraordinary, marvelous, or unusual accomplishment, deed, or event

2

a

: something extraordinary or inexplicable

b

: a portentous event : omen

Did you know?

Is a prodigy a genius or a monster - or both? Nowadays, it's the talent that shines through, but back in the 15th century the word's meaning was more strongly influenced by that of its Latin ancestor, prodigium, meaning "omen" or "monster." Back then, a prodigy could be any strange or weird thing that might be an omen of things to come. Even in modern English, the word sometimes refers to an extraordinary deed or accomplishment. P.G. Wodehouse used that sense when he described how a character named Pongo Twistleton was "performing prodigies with the [billiard] cue."

Synonyms of prodigy

• miracle
• marvel
• wonder
• phenomenon

Examples of prodigy in a Sentence

a new drug that is being hailed as the latest prodigy of the medical world

Recent Examples on the Web

Born in Los Angeles in 1954 and plucked out of nursery school at three years old to attend USC’s program for musically gifted children, Rushen was the epitome of a child prodigy. —Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 22 Mar. 2026

So, how exactly does this digital prodigy manage such cosmic feats? —Paul Sutter, Space.com, 22 Mar. 2026

The American prodigy was running in his first global final, but this isn’t the first time the first-year pro has beaten several of the world’s best in a big race. —Greg Riddle, Dallas Morning News, 22 Mar. 2026

Every awesome up-and-coming American skier is the next Lindsey Vonn, every basketball prodigy is the next LeBron. —Frederick Dreier, Outside, 16 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin prodigium omen, monster, from pro-, prod- + -igium (akin to aio I say) — more at adage

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

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Kids Definition

prodigy

noun

prod·​i·​gy ˈpräd-ə-jē 

plural prodigies

1

: an amazing event or action : wonder

2

: an unusually talented child